Police: Ohio man who taped in crashed car tried to bribe driver

LORAIN, OH -- Police say an Ohio man charged with trespassing after opening the door of a crashed car to record cellphone video of the grisly scene inside tried to bribe the teenage driver in the fatal crash.

Pelton earlier pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor vehicle trespass charge stemming from the July 13 single-car crash. A 17-year-old passenger suffered fatal injuries after the car went airborne at a railroad crossing.

Police said the driver's mother notified them last week that Pelton came to their home. Pelton allegedly offered to claim that police caused additional injuries to the driver's friend if the driver would tell police he had permission to enter the car and record the crash scene.

The crash remains under investigation and the juvenile driver, who was badly injured, could still face charges.

Detective Buddy Sivert said an officer was trying to save the injured youth from the burning car. He said the officer acted in good faith.

Police said Pelton contacted the driver through social media and said he had "important information" about the case. Police said the teen told them that Pelton was at his house for 20 to 30 minutes and challenged news media accounts of his actions.

Police have said he tried unsuccessfully to sell the video to several news organizations. They said it was posted to Facebook, but later removed.

"Why he would think it is a good idea to confront a 17-year-old kid who is going through all this turmoil in his life - losing his best friend, being severely injured and potentially facing charges - and have this juvenile lie to benefit his misdemeanor case, is beyond belief," Sivert told The Morning Journal of Lorain.